Gunnison River Basin Blog

Expanded funding available for agricultural producers to implement irrigation efficiency projects in the Lower Gunnison Basin.

May 17, 2017, Glenwood Springs, CO – The Colorado River District has announced an additional funding opportunity (up to a total of $1.8 million) to support planning and implementation of irrigation efficiency improvement projects in the Lower Gunnison Project area for qualifying applicants. Applications from landowners that address identified resource concerns within the Bostwick Park, Paonia, Smith Fork, and Uncompahgre project areas will be accepted through July 21, 2017, for funding consideration.

This funding opportunity is an expansion of on-going, cooperatively-managed activities made possible by the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for on-farm improvements, like conversion to high efficiency systems such as pressure-piped sprinklers.

“We are very excited to be able to continue to provide this funding to help make our agricultural partners more productive and competitive, while simultaneously helping to meet important water resource management objectives,” explained Dave Kanzer, Project Manager and Deputy Chief Engineer of the Colorado River District.

This funding opportunity complies with the rules and regulations of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentive Program and is open to all eligible agricultural producers without discrimination or bias.